Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Oh My Darlin Tennessee

Rained on FridayClear through SundayDown the hillsidethrough the valleys

Dreadful sorry Tennessee

Rained in Nashvilleand in BellvuePoured in FranklinNo dry spot on a mountain

Dreadful sorry Tennessee

Water risin on the bywaysand the highwaysFishes swimming at the opryDown in Nashville

You are floodedBut not Forgotten

Dreadful sorry Tennessee

Maybe I am sensitive about the disaster in Tennessee due to the plight and hardship all of her citizens face because I am from Texas and were it not for Tennessee, Texas would likely be a part of Mexico.

It took the Whitehouse 4 days to respond with a brief 129 word message that could have easily been cranked out by any of the President’s speechwriters on Saturday when things in Nashville went from bad to worse.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with every American who has been impacted bythe severe weather and flooding in the southeast, and our deepestcondolences go out to those who have lost loved ones. I would also like toextend my gratitude to the local first responders who have been workingtirelessly to save lives and protect property in the face of thesedevastating storms. I have spoken with the Governors in the most severelyimpacted states, and yesterday I dispatched FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate to Tennessee to view the flood damage first hand and to report back on any unmet needs. Federal officials have been dispatched to the region and we will continueworking in close coordination with state and local officials to supportresponse and recovery efforts."

Whatever was at the base of his delay, if there had been a 9th Ward, or barrio or an audience to take advantage of, his response would have been sooner. Bush was castigated for waiting 2 days to go to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

"let me be clear: Tennessee seems to be handling this disaster quite well. Thisis not a call for Federal aid to rush in and start to screw things up - it’s thesymbolism attached to knowing the President of your country is aware of whatyour state is going through.”

His Defenders will say his priority was on the crises caused by the bomb that did not go off left in Times Square by a ‘man called disaster’, but it was a Vietnam vet and another street vendor that alerted the New York Police Department that thwarted what would have been a huge disaster.

Meanwhile 12 days, after the fire that started on April 21st, which caused the collapse of BP’s Deep Horizon Oil Platform, and a massive oil spill, Obama managed a photo op, and a nationally televised speech to the Gulf on Sunday, May 2nd. (I will spare you the link).

Finally, today, May 5th, as the water continues to recede his administration has declared 4 counties a disaster area, while in reality 52 of 55 counties in the state of Tennessee were flooded.

“…The federal government has moved quickly to assist Tennessee, and Iappreciate the quick action by President Obama to declare the first of what Iexpect will be many counties authorized for federal assistance," Gov. Phil Bredesen said in a statement. The state requested disaster assistance for 52 counties.”

More up to date can be found about the plight of the proud state of Tennessee here,